BEACHWOOD, NJ – New Jersey Governor Murphy’s juvenile justice reform was on full display last week in Beachwood after concerned residents reported a teen in the community brandishing a handgun.
Under the Governor’s marijuana legislation, the teen, who was caught with a loaded handgun and weed was issued a written warning and transported to the juvenile justice complex on the gun charge.
“As per New Jerseys new cannabis legalization and marijuana decriminalization laws, the juvenile was issued a written warning for possession of marijuana,” the Beachwood Police Department reported.
According to the Beachwood Police Department, on Friday, August 6, at approximately 5:15 P.M., officers of the responded to the 1500 block of Windward Avenue for reports of a male who had brandished a handgun. Sgt. Griesemer, Officer Batullo, and K9 Team Manganiello & Ace immediately responded to the area having been supplied a description of the male by a witness. Upon arrival and search of the immediate area, officer Manganiello located a male fitting the description of the suspect male on the 1500 block of Pacific Avenue.
Officer Manganiello engaged the male to conduct his investigation at which time the male failed to comply with his directions and fled on foot. Officers set up a perimeter of the area while K9 Ace was retrieved from the patrol vehicle to conduct a track for the suspect. At this time officer Batullo located the male hiding in a wooded area and the suspect ran away from the officer.
All officers engaged in a brief foot pursuit with the juvenile which concluded in the back yard of a residence. The juvenile was subsequently arrested and found to be in possession of a loaded firearm and over 2 ounces of marijuana. The juvenile was processed and charged with multiple weapons offenses and eluding by flight.
All charges were approved by Chief Juvenile Assistant Prosecutor Anthony Pierro and the juvenile was transported to the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.
The Beachwood Police Department would like to thank the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, especially the Narcotics Strike Force officers who had assisted our officers with this investigation